Glori
*Trigger Warning // Discussions of child sexual abuse
“Being a woman to me means that I am human, but I am capable of all things that I put my mind to. I am able to kick down glass ceilings and walls and go after whatever I want without feeling confined. I feel powerful as a woman and do not let stereotypes define me at all. Women are capable of whatever we put our minds to.”
Glori defines what it means to be a warrior. She has survived the unimaginable, and has made it her mission to empower others to do the same. As founder of Little Warriors, Glori is a passionate advocate for child sexual abuse survivors, and works directly with children and their families on awareness, treatment and prevention. Alongside this work, Glori is CEO of g[squared], a socially responsible marketing agency. She is also a mother of four and a cancer survivor. She is someone who loves and leads with her heart, and has undoubtedly transformed the lives of all those she has worked with. Meet Glori. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
G: A charismatic catalyst, Glori has an undeniable gift for cutting through the noise and unearthing opportunities to create positive change. As the CEO of g[squared] and the founder of the world-class nonprofit, Little Warriors, she is well known for her ability to make remarkable things happen against all odds and is often referred to as “three sticks of dynamite”.
Both a child sexual abuse and cancer survivor, Glori’s hard-earned wisdom is tangible. Her ability to channel these experiences into life-changing initiatives for others demonstrates the resilience and greater purpose of her soul. Her work at Little Warriors and the Be Brave Ranch has led to ground-breaking, science-backed and trauma-informed treatment for child sexual abuse survivors and their families. A philanthropist and mother of four, Glori does extensive work in the small village in Ethiopia where she adopted her son. With 24 years of leadership in social good, communications, marketing and business strategy, Glori is only getting started on her quest to create intergenerational change in our country.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
G: I feel my favourite thing about myself is my "heart". I try to live a life of service to help others. I want to help so many people overcome the struggles they face and give them hope.
P: Tell a story about what defined you?
G: I had cancer Stage 3 (brought on by my sexual abuser) and I had a 50-50 chance of beating it. I contemplated suicide and had a complete mental breakdown but I found my faith at that time and realized I had to live to help people. Helping people is my purpose and passion.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
G: If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be "You are loveable. You are worthy. You are enough."
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
G: Being a woman to me means that I am human, but I am capable of all things that I put my mind to. I am able to kick down glass ceilings and walls and go after whatever I want without feeling confined. I feel powerful as a woman and do not let stereotypes define me at all. Women are capable of whatever we put our minds to.
A woman who really inspires me is a woman and personal friend I know here in Edmonton, named Eileen. She is my "other mother" and is so generous with helping people in our community through her philanthropic endeavours and her kind heart.